The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent

William Blake (artist); Harry Hoehn (printer)

National Gallery of Art

The image shows four figures standing within an abstract environment. The first figure on the left is holding their hands up and wearing a robe. The second figure behind the first wears similar attire. The third and fourth figures, nude males with muscular bodies, appear to be reacting to something in the scene. The setting includes stylized clouds and a landscape with flame-like or pointed formations. A serpentine creature emerges between the third and fourth figures. The background is highly stylized with swirling patterns and jagged lines.